What happened
On June 6, 2008, at approximately 1745 EDT, a Beech A36, registration N27199, and a Piper PA-30 collided at North Central State Airport (SFZ) in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The weather at the time was characterized by instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) with an overcast ceiling of 600 feet.
The Piper aircraft was operating under an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan from Nantucket, Massachusetts, and was cleared for a GPS approach to the airport. During the approach, the pilot visually acquired the airport and requested to cancel his IFR flight plan. Following the cancellation, the pilot elected to land on Runway 15.
Simultaneously, the N271 99 was operating under an IFR flight plan for departure to Morristown, New Jersey. The pilot had requested departure clearance and was instructed by air traffic control to "hold for release." Approximately one minute after the Piper pilot cancelled his IFR flight plan, the controller released the Beech aircraft for departure.
The pilot of the N27199 switched to the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) and broadcast his position and intentions twice. As the Beech aircraft began its takeoff roll on Runway 5, the Piper aircraft was landing on Runway 15. As the Beech aircraft approached rotation speed, the pilots observed the Piper approaching from the left. The pilot of the N27199 attempted to fly over the Piper, but the aircraft collided. The Beech aircraft sustained damage to its wing, stabilizer, and landing gear, eventually coming to rest in the grass. The Piper sustained damage to its nose and cabin. The pilot of the Piper sustained one minor injury, while the pilot and passenger of the Beech were not injured.